§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the reasons why the rent debt on Housing Executive houses has risen by £2 million, to £12 million since 1980; and if he will take immediate steps to reclaim this amount.
§ Mr. David Mitchell[pursuant to his reply, 30 July 1981]: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I understand from the chairman that the total arrears due, which includes rent, rates and district heating charges, increased in cash terms to £12 million in the year ended 31 March 1981.
In the same period the collectable income of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive also increased because of higher rent and other charges. The total debt at 31 March 1981 is equivalent to an average of 5.4 weeks in arrear compared with 5.5 weeks in arrear at 31 March 1980.
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is continuing its efforts to recover an-rears and prevent the accumulation of further debt. In the year ended 31 March 1981 the Northern Ireland Housing Executive collected over 98 per cent. of its total collectable income.